Summary
The Suttons Bay Village Planning Commission met November 19, 2025, with Chairperson Hetler presiding and 35 guests attending, largely to hear an introductory site plan review for the Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) campus expansion. The Commission approved the agenda, October 15, 2025 minutes, the 2026 Planning Commission budget, and the 2026 meeting schedule, all by 5-0 votes. Members disclosed potential conflicts of interest regarding ISEA donations but took no formal action on recusal. The Commission agreed to pursue concurrent Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and Planning Commission review of zoning issues related to the ISEA project, with further discussion set for the December meeting.
Public Comments
Numerous speakers voiced strong support for the ISEA campus project, including Larry Mawby, John Siefeld (ISEA board chairman), teacher Lauren, volunteers Fred Simpkins, Kathy Schaeffer, Jack Scripps, Jill Egan, and Kim Eike, employee M. Piescore, and Dan Lisuk. Common themes included ISEA's community benefit, educational value, the $6 million investment, and requests for timely Commission action. Later in the meeting, Larry Mawby also asked the Commission to prioritize rezoning of the Peninsula Housing school property; Planner Kopriva responded that a formal rezoning application should be submitted, as the Village does not typically initiate such rezonings. Fred Sitkins (ISEA) expressed disappointment in the Village's engagement pace. Lois Bahle commented that ISEA was a better use for the Millside Building than a hotel. Jack Dunn asked about progress on allowing two-family dwellings at the Congregational Church property; Chair Hetler said this requires Village Council involvement, Council member D. Smith stated she would raise it at Council, and Planner Kopriva noted the Church could request a formal text amendment.
Infrastructure Projects
The ISEA campus proposal includes significant site work: reducing asphalt from 26,000 sq ft to 16,000 sq ft, reconfiguring parking, partial removal of the Millside Building, a new stair tower, greenspace, sidewalks, ADA access, a shoreline trail, and expanded stormwater management/constructed wetlands. Access runs through Dame Street, previously deeded to the Village. Planner Kopriva confirmed Dame Street qualifies as a Village street under the ordinance and is on the Village's ACT 51 certification list, generating ACT 51 funding; removal from that list would require Village Council action. Zoning concerns were raised regarding nonconforming buildings and form-based standards; options discussed included a ZBA variance/interpretation/appeal, rezoning to Public/Quasi-Public Land, or a text amendment. Engineer Joswiak requested interpretation of Ordinance Section 19.5 regarding the Millside Building. The Commission consensus was to pursue concurrent PC/ZBA review, with further discussion at the December 17, 2025 meeting.
Other Business
The Commission reviewed new draft EV charging station language and agreed by consensus to schedule a public hearing on December 17, 2025. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was cancelled pending Village attorney review of related issues. No comments were reported for the Village Council report.
Financial Summary
ISEA has raised $10.2 million toward the $6 million campus project referenced by speaker John Siefeld. The Commission approved the 2026 Planning Commission budget as presented (5-0 vote), though specific figures were not detailed in the minutes.
Action Items
Engineer Joswiak will send information to the Village requesting interpretation of Section 19.5 regarding the Millside Building's nonconforming status. Further ISEA site plan review will continue at the December 17, 2025 meeting. A public hearing on EV charging station language is scheduled for December 17, 2025. Regarding the Congregational Church's request for two-family dwelling zoning, Council member D. Smith plans to raise the matter at a Village Council meeting; the Church may also submit a formal text amendment request. Regarding the Peninsula Housing school property, Planner Kopriva indicated a formal rezoning application would need to be submitted, as raised by resident Larry Mawby.